Kate Middleton in a New Needle & Thread Dress Is Stunning at the UK-Africa Summit

• At Buckingham Palace this evening, Kate Middleton and Prince William (opens in new tab) are hosting a summit.
• Kate wore a Needle & Thread dress that's red, sparkly, and utterly gorgeous. She and William looked calm and relaxed despite crazy family drama.
• ICYMI, here's the latest (opens in new tab) on that.

With the Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Kate Middleton and Prince William just arrived for the UK-Africa Investment Summit Reception at Buckingham Palace. And it looks like Kate's in a new outfit—and I love it. So sparkly! You can see every angle of the dress here (opens in new tab) and a couple shots below.

The gown is Needle & Thread—I am not sure if any alterations were made, but it looks to be their cherry-red Aurora gown. She loves the color and looks amazing (opens in new tab) in it, natch. She's also worn Needle & Thread before (opens in new tab).

She completed the look in matching pointed-heel pumps and a small clutch. It would be easy for the look to be bridesmaid-y, but it looks like they're juuust a shade darker. It's monochromatic without being twee (which is something Kate excels at, TBH).

Interestingly, Sophie Wessex is also at the same event wearing red (opens in new tab). Twinsies? Twinsies! Sophie's is simpler and less sparkly, so I doubt it'll be, like, a thing, if you know what I mean.

Kate and William probably won't be discussing the ongoing family drama, but there's a report that the two brothers engaged in "secret" talks (opens in new tab) that helped repair the rift that had developed between them. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren't there, but despite what tabloids may suggest, this might not be a huge deal. William and Kate look a little stressed but ok! And William just mentioned Harry (opens in new tab) in his speech, albeit just in passing.

Here's the dress thanks to a shot of it by The Royal Family:

Here's a shot of the gown in motion:

I love it so much.

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